Whether help is needed in the house or a couple needs counseling, many services are available to patients and their families when ovarian cancer strikes.

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Ovarian cancer and its treatments are a shock to the physical and emotional health of the patient and her loved ones. Few know what to do, how to react, or what's going to happen. Because this can be a confusing and frightening time, it can be helpful to seek cancer counseling services.

Ovarian Cancer: Different Types of Help

There are a number of different ways that cancer counseling can help ovarian cancer patients, their caregivers, and their families cope with the ovarian cancer diagnosis:

Counseling. Counseling from a therapist might be beneficial for all those involved: the ovarian cancer patient herself, her husband or partner, and the family if children are involved. Each member of the family will have a different reaction to the diagnosis, and a therapist who specializes in cancer counseling can help everyone deal with it both together and independently.

Spiritual guidance. Many ovarian cancer patients and their caregivers may wonder why this is happening to them, and feel conflicted about their spiritual beliefs. Others may look for support and answers from a spiritual or religious source, even if they weren't spiritual before the diagnosis. Setting up some time to speak to a priest, pastor, chaplain, or rabbi may help many families dealing with ovarian cancer. If you don't already belong to a religious group, ask friends, doctors, support group patrons, hospital social workers, or a hospice team for some recommendations.

Support groups. Support groups are available for ovarian cancer patients and survivors, caregivers and other family members, and even children dealing with a mother's cancer. Many people find cancer support groups to be a big help, and find comfort in talking to others in a similar situation to theirs.

Pain management. As ovarian cancer advances, it can become quite painful, so pain management is an important part of any ovarian cancer treatment plan. Patients and caregivers need to tell doctors about pain symptoms; medications, treatments like chemotherapy, and even pain clinics to specifically treat your pain can all help. Talk to your doctor or your hospital's social worker about pain management methods and pain clinics.

Physical help and support. No one can manage ovarian cancer alone, and that includes the caregiver. Seek additional help from other friends and family members. You can also hire in-home care to help with daily tasks like bathing, giving medications, and just giving the caregiver a break.

Hospital resources. Many offer them, so use them. Some hospitals have social workers on staff to help you find resources in the community for treatments, support groups, and more.

Hospice. In the advanced stages of ovarian cancer, hospice care may also be a good support option for the entire family. Hospice care offers comfort care, help at home, spiritual support, and a social worker to help the family deal with what is happening.

Ovarian Cancer: Everyone Needs Help

Ovarian cancer is too much to deal with alone, and often even a caregiver and supportive family may still need some additional help to deal with the disease. Never be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. Counseling can be very helpful for families who don't know how to manage an ovarian cancer diagnosis or prepare for a poor prognosis.

Recruit friends, family members, and other resources to help shoulder some of the additional responsibilities that come along with an ovarian cancer diagnosis. The more help you get, the more you'll be able to enjoy time with each other as a family.

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